Drew Stanton News Could Have Inspired Decision To Start Ryan Lindley
By Omar Soussi
As if the Cardinals already had a tough time as it was, they were hit with another blow.
It has been reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport that Drew Stanton got an infection from what they believe was from outside treatment and will require arthroscopic surgery. This surgery reportedly will likely end Stanton’s season and crushing even more Cardinal fans hope of going deep in the postseason.
More from Arizona Cardinals
- Arizona Cardinals Paid Sam Bradford $6.75 Million Per TD Pass
- Larry Fitzgerald Bailed Out the Arizona Cardinals Offense in Week 8
- Byron Leftwich Brings a Little Bruce Arians to Arizona Cardinals OC Gig
- Arizona Cardinals: Why Offensive Coordinator Mike McCoy Was Fired
- Arizona Cardinals: Getting Ready For Thursday Night Football
This news might be the reason why Bruce Arians decided to put Ryan Lindley as the starter for the Cardinals/49ers game this week instead of rookie Logan Thomas. He knows Stanton might not play in the playoffs so he wants to give Lindley as many reps as possible.
That said the head coach is still planning on having Stanton for the playoffs. Even with this injury, Arians was quoted in the NFL.com story on the situation saying “He’s on schedule for next week.”
Regardless if Arians keeps his poker face on Stanton’s condition, the fact is the Cardinals are most likely not going to have Stanton play in the playoffs for them and unless a miracle happens, they will have to go on the road if they want to head to the Super Bowl this season. The team will have to rely on Lindley who hasn’t thrown a touchdown in 225 attempts and played awful against the Seahawks.
If the Cardinals end up the fifth seed, they’ll go to either Atlanta or Carolina for the first round of the playoffs, but if they win and the Seahawks lose, they’ll get a much needed bye week and have homefield advantage throughout the playoffs. The first option sounds more likely than the second but if the Cards can get a playoff run, it’ll show the talent and greatness that Arians has as a coach.